Easy

"Nobody thinks to cook cucumbers, but I treat them as I would any vegetable"

This steak tastes best when marinated overnight, so try to start the recipe a day ahead.

Get juicy shrimp by gently steaming them in an herb-and-lemon infused broth.

The classic Middle Eastern salad shifts from bulgur wheat to quinoa. The tiny nutritional powerhouse is loaded with protein, making this dish both a delicious vegetarian main course and a summer-suitable side.

Chicken thighs are more succulent than breasts and stand up to reheating without drying out.

This classic Mexican topping can be made with or without jalapeños. Keep in mind that adding the seeds ups the heat.

Portland-based Salt & Straw adds a drop of vinegar and a hint of pepper to balance the sweetness in this strawberry shake, plus a splash of rum to make it deliciously complex in flavor. If you're making this for non-drinkers, just omit the booze.

Small, sweet wild Maine shrimp are sold frozen from brownetrading.com when not in season. You can also substitute other shrimp cut into 1/2" pieces. This recipe makes extra horseradish mayo. Put it out to spread on other sandwiches.

Use this orange-tinted sauce on sandwiches with salmon or cucumbers.

Create endless riffs on this salad by using the bright herb dressing with your favorite grains and vegetables.

Serve this chunky, all-purpose tomato sauce with fish, chicken, pasta, or disks of polenta (shown here).

Store-bought rotisserie chicken adds protein to this lively, aromatic dish; omit it for a satisfying vegetarian main course. If you can't find spelt, use semi-pearled farro or whole wheat berries.

Toasted seeds and nuts add bite to this nutrition-packed salad. We use dried sprouted legumes, which are even more healthful than ordinary beans and more convenient than sprouting your own. (Cooked lentils and mung beans work well, too.) A vibrant chive vinaigrette brings it all together.

Mixing visually striking black barley with raw and cooked vegetables creates lots of flavors and textures. Feel free to substitute the more readily available pearl barley instead.

Polish sausage gives the onions and chiles a rich, smoky flavor.